Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-12
NORWAY BRIDES.
A Wedding PrOcessi0u In the Land Of
Fiord and Mountain.

From the Domestic Monthly.
On the day on which my visit to odde came to
an end had glimpse, II not OF q wedding ITSELF
at least OF the arrival OF the bridal party Along
the ford came large boat, pulled by six stout
oarsnlen, and making its way through the water
10 very different style from the crawling pace
customary 70 Norwegian boats on Ordinary occa.
SONS As it drew nearer we could &c that. BE-.
sides the plainly clad men and the wnite-cap Cd
women, there were two brides on board. The
whole village, needless to say, turned out to sse
the sight, and pretty scene WAS formed By the
groups o. women and girls their white caps and
scarlet bodies shining In the sun. Az stood
among the crowd and noticed the details Of their
dress, was struck with the neatness and nnish of
all and the care which Is evidently bestowed on
SIN Il d-tsils One old dame wore the usual DARK
blue gown, but tue sleeves were relieved with the
neatest pea-green Guns sewn to the dress with In.
she wore was edged with q piping of yellow. and
oene IN was snrewd, kindly face. The green
dye " Itch reappears on various articles Of cloth
fashion, is made nom KIND Of sSns out mos q
which grows freely on the hillside.
the two brides and their friends are handed out
by tue ooatmen, and then, with some show Of fuss
and Importance. there are lifted out OF the boat
sunlry odd-loosng boxes, whose purpose and con-
party stands still solemnly, each bridegroom nav.
Ing his bride on his arm land the fiddler faces them
and strikes up tune. He beats his foot on tn
-
ment a kind known as the "Hardanrer VIOLA"
and reels out lively Norwegian tunes. They were
strange airs to me, but Imagine they were "hal.
inyS.' or. perhaps, marches. / do not know why
this pause was made; perhaps to give time TO the
clergy man, who was expected every moment BY
the steamer, the steamer which unfortunately was
70 carry me and my friends away. How
ever, the pause gave me an opportunity OF
noticing the brides and their dresses. fhey
Soth l0s wore The huge aaosslny crown which 4
orange blossoms is 70 her American sister.
Ihe dark blue shirt was for this occasion re-
with a bold pattern In wool near the hem. The
fal white shirt remained as usual, but the bodice
was mass OF bead work, while the belt was made
dangled from the side OF the crown, but whether
affixed 70 the crown or TO the ears could not tell;
a large silver brooch was worn at the throat and
each bride had q fine muslin apron with pretty
piece OF needlework let 10, after the Norwegian
fashion, near the hem. The patterns Of this work,
which is generally crochet. are REMARKABLY good.
and the crochet washes admirably. The brides
wore their hair hanging down their backs, and one
on1ciouS bridesmaid nouced taxing great pains
BY the Rnd looked az snef
out In this instance there was little to admire
One was young, but the other was fairly ad-
vlnced In life and neither could be called pretty.
imagine that marriages In Norway have often
10 be postponed for long time until vacant farm
or homestead falls to the turn OF the young people
or tn Dridegrooms there is little TO be said they
were plain, honest looking fellows dressed almost
exactly Ike our sailors, except for broad, soft,
wlde-awake hat. The knee-breeches fastened with
silver buttons, formerly worn in the country, are
fast disappearing from the peasants costumes
and plain blue coat, jacket, and trousers are now
generally worn. The men look exactly like Eng
lishInen OF the northern counties, with their fair
hair and as we should say, saxon cast OF features
But now the procession begins TO move. The 1d-
dIer leads the way, stiIl playing, and the bridal
party sets out on Its way to the church. And at
the same time the whistle OF the steamer Is heard
and the vessel steams up to the short quay, which
Is al tnat Is needed on TIE steep shores Of the
nord. The Clergyman, q TALL nne-looking man,
on, and 50 we see no more OF the wedding cere
mOny. They will dance the .shailing" merrtly 10.
night, we are told. Formerly they kept the revels
up for three nights but now these festivities are
cut short, and one night is considered enough.